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Archive for the ‘life extension’ category: Page 268

Jan 23, 2020

How cancer shapes evolution, and how evolution shapes cancer

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, evolution, genetics, life extension

Circa 2011 essentially cancer could help with evolution as it can challenge the immune system to be more strong. Essentially a symbiotic relationship to evolve with it and grow stronger with it then like it can be used as a good thing to make sure that evolution has stronger genetic code.


Evolutionary theories are critical for understanding cancer development at the level of species as well as at the level of cells and tissues, and for developing effective therapies. Animals have evolved potent tumor suppressive mechanisms to prevent cancer development. These mechanisms were initially necessary for the evolution of multi-cellular organisms, and became even more important as animals evolved large bodies and long lives. Indeed, the development and architecture of our tissues were evolutionarily constrained by the need to limit cancer. Cancer development within an individual is also an evolutionary process, which in many respects mirrors species evolution. Species evolve by mutation and selection acting on individuals in a population; tumors evolve by mutation and selection acting on cells in a tissue. The processes of mutation and selection are integral to the evolution of cancer at every step of multistage carcinogenesis, from tumor genesis to metastasis. Factors associated with cancer development, such as aging and carcinogens, have been shown to promote cancer evolution by impacting both mutation and selection processes. While there are therapies that can decimate a cancer cell population, unfortunately, cancers can also evolve resistance to these therapies, leading to the resurgence of treatment-refractory disease. Understanding cancer from an evolutionary perspective can allow us to appreciate better why cancers predominantly occur in the elderly, and why other conditions, from radiation exposure to smoking, are associated with increased cancers. Importantly, the application of evolutionary theory to cancer should engender new treatment strategies that could better control this dreaded disease.

We expect that the public generally views evolutionary biology as a science about the past, with stodgy old professors examining dusty fossils in poorly lit museum basements. Evolution must certainly be a field well-separated from modern medicine and biomedical research, right? If the public makes a connection between evolution and medicine, it is typically in the example of bacteria acquiring antibiotic resistance. But what does evolution have to do with afflictions like heart disease, obesity, and cancer? As it turns out, these diseases are intricately tied to our evolutionary histories, and understanding evolution is essential for preventing, managing and treating these diseases (1, 2). This review will focus on cancer: how evolutionary theories can be used to understand cancer development at the level of species as well as at the level of cells and tissues. We will also discuss the implications and benefits of an evolutionary perspective towards cancer prevention and therapies.

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Jan 22, 2020

Hyper-Long Telomeres Give Non-Genetically Modified Mice Longer, Healthier Lives

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, life extension

“Unprecedented results” showed that longer than normal telomeres in mice hahd only beneficial effects, such as increased longevity, delayed metabolic age and fewer cancers.

Jan 22, 2020

Reviewing Age-Related Gut Microbiome Changes

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

A recent study has taken an in-depth look at the age-related changes that occur in the microbiome, particularly in regards to bacterial populations.

A detailed look at bacterial populations in the gut microbiome

The publication contains multiple graphs that track age-related changes to various bacterial populations in the gut. These graphs show a common trend: the abundance of these bacterial species increases with aging but then falls significantly in extreme old age. On these charts, Groups 1–5 contain various ages of children, Group 6 consists of 19- to 29-year-olds, and each following group is ten years older than the previous, with Group 14 containing 99- to 110-year-olds.

Jan 22, 2020

Dmitry Itskov on the Philosophy of Immortality

Posted by in categories: futurism, life extension

Watch it 👇.


MOTHERBOARD met up with Russian billionaire Dmitry Itskov at his Global Future 2045 Conference in New York City to talk about immortality, spirituality, and the coming age of cybernetic avatar-based living.

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Jan 22, 2020

Researchers Identify Gene with Functional Role in Aging of Eye

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

In mouse studies, a “methylation clock” on the ELOVL2 gene ticks toward impaired vision, but when gene expression was boosted, age-related visual function improved.


A lengthy-named gene called Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids Protein 2 or ELOVL2 is an established biomarker of age. In a new paper, published online January 14, 2020 in the journal Aging Cell, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine say the gene appears to play a key role in age-associated functional and anatomical aging in vivo in mouse retinas, a finding that has direct relevance to age-related eye diseases.

Specifically, the research team, led by senior author Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, assistant professor in the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute, found that an age-related decrease in ELOVL2 gene expression was associated with increased DNA methylation of its promoter. Methylation is a simple biochemical process in which groups of carbon and hydrogen atoms are transferred from one substance to another. In the case of DNA, methylation of regulatory regions negatively impacts expression of the gene.

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Jan 22, 2020

What Neuroscience Can Teach Us About Aging Better

Posted by in categories: life extension, neuroscience

“A neuroscientist explains how our brains age and provides tips for aging with more vitality and happiness.”

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic[/li

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Jan 21, 2020

AgeX Therapeutics anticipates a ‘revolution’ in aging in next 10 years

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

AgeX Therapeutics Inc (NYSEAMERICAN: AGE) CEO Michael West sat down with Proactive’s Christine Corrado at the Biotech Showcase 2020 in San Francisco. The Alameda, California biotechnology company is developing a cell therapy treatment for metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.

Jan 20, 2020

Against All Odds

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Jane McLelland beat cervical, lung, and blood cancers using the missing link to defeat cancer: starving it. She is partnering with Life Extension® to help other patients achieve the same results.

By Laurie Mathena.

Jan 20, 2020

Aubrey de Grey, CSO, SENS, “Scientists, check — Investors, check — Next up, policy makers”

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, policy

After getting a considerable success in convincing scientists and investors, in the last decades, that undoing aging through a damage repair approach is possible and desirable, Aubrey de Grey is turning his advocacy efforts to politicians. In this video, he explains why.


https://thelongevityforum.com/
Aubrey de Grey delivers a keynote on the next steps for longevity for policy makers.

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Jan 18, 2020

How the Ginkgo biloba achieves near-immortality

Posted by in category: life extension